The Indian Olympic Association has decided to bid for the 2026 Youth Olympics as well as the 2032 Summer Olympics, receiving approval from the visiting International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

In a press meet addressed with Bach in New Delhi, IOA President Narinder Batra  asserted, "We are bidding for three events, 2026 Youth Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics. We don't know whether they will come to India or not. Let us see how fierce the competition is, “as quoted by DD news.

Thomas Bach is on a two-day visit to the country. He said India has the capability to host big Olympic events but suggested the IOA to wait for the bidding process to begin.

The IOC chief also had a meeting with Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore during the day.

The bidding process for the 2026 Youth Olympics is likely to commence in early part of 2020. Besides India, Thailand has also expressed interest to host the 2026 Youth Olympics.

Regarding the IOA's aim to bid for 2032 Olympics, Bach said, "There is a lot of time left till we open bidding procedure for 2032 Olympics. We have to wait till that."

A decision on the 2032 Summer Olympics host city will only decide in 2025 and the bidding process is likely to start sometime before that.